SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The Avera Cancer Institute kicked off its annual We Care Pink Hair event. As October marks breast cancer awareness month, many are already starting to go pink.

Jodi Moore has been with Avera for 24 years and says she decided to get pink hair for a loved one.

“I did an extension in honor and memory of my friend Suzanne Meendering, who lost her battle with breast cancer three years ago,” Moore said.

As a surgical tech, it’s something Moore sees often.

“With me being in surgery, we see a lot of patients with breast cancer, men and women, and it’s just great to get the awareness out there and this is just a great event to bring a positive side to it,” Moore said.

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Community outreach coordinator at the Avera Cancer Institute, Britney Leinen, opted for a light shade of pink.

“I think we all have someone in our lives who’s been touched by cancer in some way. And it’s really important to me, for us as a community to understand there is ways that we can both prevent cancer through kind of lifestyle and general awareness,” Leinen said.

Each extension is $10 with the money going toward the Avera Cancer Institute.

“Through this program, we’re funding things like the Navigation Center, which allows for cancer patients, whether here or afar, to connect with providers, connect with pharmacists on the prescriptions that they’ve been provided, the care they’re receiving, “community giving manager with the Avera Foundation, Elijah Bonde said.

This is just one way to put a spotlight on a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people each year.

“We see breast cancer in earlier and earlier ages all the time. So just be aware of your body and get it checked out,” Moore said.

There will be two more We Care Pink Hair events next Wednesday and Thursday.For more information on how you can donate click here.